Combating Global Corruption Act of 2025 | ChamberLight
Bills · HR 385
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
House BillHR 385Government ethics and transparency, public corruptionGermany
Combating Global Corruption Act of 2025
INTRO JAN 14· LAST ACTION JAN 14
READING
9MIN
COSPONSORS
4BIPARTISAN
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8
Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-written
Voters should care about this bill because it aims to hold foreign governments and officials accountable for corruption, which often undermines democracy, stability, and human rights globally. By creating a public ranking and linking it to potential sanctions, the U.S. could put more pressure on corrupt regimes to clean up their acts. This could lead to more stable trading partners, reduced illicit financial flows, and a more level playing field for American businesses abroad.
If this bill becomes law, the U.S. government will have a new tool to identify and call out corruption transparently, potentially deterring some corrupt practices. If it doesn't become law, the current system for addressing global corruption would continue without this specific, public, tiered ranking system or the explicit directive to evaluate corrupt foreign actors for Magnitsky Act sanctions, potentially allowing some corrupt behaviors to persist with less international scrutiny.
KEY PROVISIONS
4AI-extracted
PROVISION 01
Requires the Secretary of State to annually publish a publicly accessible, tiered ranking of all foreign countries based on their governments' levels of corruption and efforts to combat it.
This creates a transparent and consistent global benchmark for corruption, allowing for public accountability and diplomatic pressure.
PROVISION 02
Establishes 'minimum standards' for countries to meet in combating corruption, which include having and enforcing anti-corruption laws, punishing corrupt actors fairly, and making serious prevention efforts.
These standards provide clear criteria for evaluation and guide countries on what actions are expected to improve their standing.
PROVISION 03
Directs the evaluation of foreign persons involved in 'significant corruption' for potential designation as 'specially designated nationals' under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act.
This explicitly links the anti-corruption ranking with existing U.S. sanctions tools, providing a mechanism for direct consequences for corrupt individuals.
PROVISION 04
Defines 'corrupt actor,' 'corruption,' and 'significant corruption' to provide clarity on what behaviors are targeted by the bill.
Clear definitions ensure consistent application of the law and avoid ambiguity in identifying and sanctioning corrupt activities.
Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Voters should care about this bill because it aims to hold foreign governments and officials accountable for corruption, which often undermines democracy, stability, and human rights globally. By creating a public ranking and linking it to potential sanctions, the U.S. could put more pressure on corrupt regimes to clean up their acts. This could lead to more stable trading partners, reduced illicit financial flows, and a more level playing field for American businesses abroad.
If this bill becomes law, the U.S. government will have a new tool to identify and call out corruption transparently, potentially deterring some corrupt practices. If it doesn't become law, the current system for addressing global corruption would continue without this specific, public, tiered ranking system or the explicit directive to evaluate corrupt foreign actors for Magnitsky Act sanctions, potentially allowing some corrupt behaviors to persist with less international scrutiny.
KEY PROVISIONS
AI-extracted
high
Requires the Secretary of State to annually publish a publicly accessible, tiered ranking of all foreign countries based on their governments' levels of corruption and efforts to combat it.
This creates a transparent and consistent global benchmark for corruption, allowing for public accountability and diplomatic pressure.
med
Establishes 'minimum standards' for countries to meet in combating corruption, which include having and enforcing anti-corruption laws, punishing corrupt actors fairly, and making serious prevention efforts.
These standards provide clear criteria for evaluation and guide countries on what actions are expected to improve their standing.
high
Directs the evaluation of foreign persons involved in 'significant corruption' for potential designation as 'specially designated nationals' under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act.
This explicitly links the anti-corruption ranking with existing U.S. sanctions tools, providing a mechanism for direct consequences for corrupt individuals.
med
Defines 'corrupt actor,' 'corruption,' and 'significant corruption' to provide clarity on what behaviors are targeted by the bill.
Clear definitions ensure consistent application of the law and avoid ambiguity in identifying and sanctioning corrupt activities.
The Secretary of State shall annually publish a tiered ranking of all foreign countries.
GLOSSARY
AI-written
Corrupt actor
A foreign government official, government entity, or a company significantly owned by such a person, who is responsible for or involved in an act of corruption.
Corruption
The illegal use of public power for personal gain, which can include bribery, giving special favors to family (nepotism), cheating (fraud), or stealing public money (embezzlement).
Significant corruption
High-level corruption by government officials that illegitimately changes major government decisions or uses large-scale government activities for personal profit.
Tiered ranking
A system where countries are grouped into different levels (tiers) based on how well they meet certain standards, in this case, relating to their efforts to fight corruption.
Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act
An existing U.S. law that allows the government to impose sanctions (like asset freezes and travel bans) on foreign individuals who have committed serious human rights abuses or acts of significant corruption.
Specially designated nationals
Individuals or entities identified by the U.S. government as subject to sanctions, typically including asset freezes and prohibitions on transactions with U.S. persons.
ACTION TIMELINE
2 EVENTS
JAN 14, 25
Introduced in House
INTROREFERRAL
JAN 14, 25
Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Financial Action Task Force (FATF) recommendations
International standards designed to combat money laundering and terrorist financing, which include measures for financial transparency and knowing who truly owns companies (beneficial ownership).
